Without waiting for the return of peace in the Ngoketunjia II Section (Balikumbat), neither putting militants in harm’s way, supporters of the CPDM held a trendsetting joint section conference in Bafoussam on Saturday July 23.
Militants of the CPDM in particular, and those with a contrary view with that of the armed separatist movement in the Northwest and Southwest regions have remained targets of the spawned armed groups operating in the English-speaking part of our country. The situation has forced many to leave their homes and flee to other parts of our country, considered safe. People from Balikumbat have mainly crossed over to the West region, among them militants and supporters of the Party – those have stayed back in the subdivision have shelved their adherence to the party. But officials of the Party, led by the Section President Dingha Ignatius Bayen, after brainstorming came up with a novel idea to hold a joint section conference out Balikumbat. This gave a unique opportunity for members of the CPDM to flaunt their support to the ruling party, and their champion, the National President of the CPDM Paul Biya.
Officials and supporters during the massively attended conference took a commitment to fight for the return of peace in their area. The confab held under the theme: “The CPDM party in Ngoketunjia II striving to consolidate peace, unity and social cohesion.” The plight of hundreds now living as IPDs across our country remains the party’s preoccupation. “I was convinced about the need for us to widen the scope of our reflections and to encourage each other in spite of the daunting challenges and stakes,” Senator Bayin said during his key note address. The Section President and his team know the ordeals their members are going through, but on the hind side Senator Bayin wants them to hold unto hope. “I want to encourage you dear IDP militants not to be vindictive but to trust that in as much as God exists, we shall overcome and conquer,” Senator Bayin appealed. While calling on IDPs to remain law-abiding and dutiful. He cited the massive enrolment on the electoral register, and cautioned the militants to remain on the alert for upcoming elections.
Meanwhile the president of the women wing of Ngoketunjia II Tanyi Esther Akuh called on fellow women to adjure and remind their “children (carrying arms) that anger and violence can never build a nation.”
The Section President was credited for the groundbreaking conference. He received accolades for the massive mobilisation from the Member of Parliament for Ngoketunjia North Constituency (Babessi subdivision and Ndop Central), Hon Njingum Musa Mbutoh. The governor of the West region, Awa Fonka Augustine who attended the conference praised the militants for their unwavering stand with the CPDM. Balikumbat enjoys the support of Yang Philemon Head of the Central Committee Permanent Regional Delegation, and that of Divisional Delegation Prof. Uphie Chinje. The MP of Balikumbat Special Constituency Hon. Banmi Emmanuel backed the confab.
Jude VIBAN
